Coast Guard Suspends Search for 11 Missing Crewmembers

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the 11 missing crewmembers from the mobile offshore drilling unit, Deepwater Horizon, at approximately 5 p.m., Friday.

"Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the families of these 11 crewmembers," said Rear Adm. Mary Landry, commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District. "Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions a commander has to make."

The 11 crewmembers had been missing since Tuesday, when an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon at approximately 10 p.m. The Coast Guard searched continuously for three days with an effort consisting of 28 air and surface sorties, covering approximately 5,375 square miles.